Traction device for physical therapy

ABSTRACT

A cervical traction device which can be used on a elevated support surface such as a bed which applies a tractive force to the back of the patient&#39;s skull approximate to the occipital bone through the use of contoured blocks which can preferably be positioned behind the patient&#39;s head and mounted on a head rest assembly. The tractive force can be continuous or cycled on and off manually during a cervical traction session. The head rest assembly slides on the bed or similar surface and can be vertically and laterally adjusted to vary the flexion-extension angle. The cervical traction device can be operated by the patient with or without the help of a second party.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to physical therapy devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention is related to devices foradministering cervical traction to the neck region of a patient. Evenmore particularly, the present invention is related to cervical tractiondevices for home-use which provide the option of administering cervicaltraction in either a cyclical or non-cyclical manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need for simple, low cost cervical traction devices which can beused at home to administer cervical traction to provide relief topatients with various musculo-skeletal disorders of the neck and back iswell recognized. Heretofore there have been developed a great number ofhead halters or other devices which apply cervical traction through thehead of the patient. Many of these devices engage the jaw of the patientwhile surrounding the head. These type of halters not only inhibit theability of the patient to talk, they also cause aggravation of thetemporomandibular (TMJ) points. As a device for administering cervicaltraction, these devices are less than desirable. Jaw-type head haltersof this type pull from an axis offset from the spine and thereby applyan undesirable twisting moment (cervical extension) to the patient'shead and neck contrary to most types of desired cervical traction. Inmost types of cervical traction situations, it is desirable to engagethe head of the patient at the occipital area of the head rather thanthe chin so that the pulling axis is in straight alignment with thespine and so that the pulling force is concentrated along the posteriorof the head where it is most beneficial.

Other types of devices for engaging the head to correct neck problemsare cervical braces. Such braces, which are referred to as "halo type",actually contact the patient's head with pointed screws which are forcedinward through the skin to make contact with the bone of the skull.Aside from the obvious pain which a patient must endure when this typeof brace is employed, the potential for infection to the person's headat the points where the skin is broken is ever present.

In order to obtain effective cervical traction, heretofore, it has beennecessary to go to a physical therapy department or office. At suchlocations cervical traction was applied using complex devices such asthat described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,109 to Saunders which was reissuedas RE 32,791. Such devices could be used to apply cervical traction.However, they were of limited value because their complexity meant thattraction therapy was available to the patient only at limited locationswhere such devices could be permanently installed. As a result, thepatient was able to obtain cervical traction less often than would havebeen desirable not only because of the inconvenience of having to go tosuch locations at only the appointed times but also because of theexpense.

Therefore, it is highly desirable to provide a cervical traction deviceheretofore only available in a physical therapist's office which can beused by the patient at home at various intervals throughout the day sothat the patient, with or without assistance, can receive the equivalenttherapeutic benefits associated with more frequent cervical tractionuse. Unfortunately, many cervical traction devices for home use whichhave been developed previously are either extremely cumbersome, rely onjaw-type head halters, or fail to provide sufficient cervical tractionforce in a safe manner to be truly beneficial to the patient. Examplesof such devices include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,971,043 to Jones; U.S. Pat. No.5,129,881 to Pope; U.S. Pat. No. 3,105,489 to Zivi; U.S. Pat. No.4,674,485 to Swanson; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,954,026 to Spinks.Furthermore, none of the cervical traction devices for home use offer aneffective tension cycling option.

Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a cervical traction device foruse in the home which would provide cervical traction force through theskull proximate to the occiput region in a safe and easy manner whichcould be used by the patient in a supine position with minimal or noassistance from third parties. It is also desirable that the deviceprovide maximum cervical traction force in a manner which is safe andbeneficial to the patient-user. It is also desirable to provide acervical traction device and method for using the same which enables thepatient-user control over the course of physical therapy and itsadministration in concert with a program recommended by his or herphysician and physical therapist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device and method for providing cervicaltraction on a patient to address or alleviate various musculo-skeletaldisorders of the cervical spine or in the upper back. The device isconfigured to permit the patient to administer cervical traction on himor herself with minimal or no assistance in most situations. The deviceof the present invention is designed to be used while the patient islying on his or her back on a substantially horizontal surface such as abed or other elevated support. The device of the present inventionincludes a head rest assembly adapted to releasably contact thepatient's neck proximate to the occipital region, means for exertingtension force on the head rest assembly, and a tractive forcetransferring system which includes a tension line having a first endconnected to the head rest assembly and a second end connected to thetension exerting means. The tractive force transferring system may alsoinclude a tension release line attached to the tension line at a pointbetween the first and second ends thereof. The second end of the tensionrelease line terminates in means for releasably contacting an appendageof the patient, such that the patient-user can interrupt the tensionforce transferred to the tension line.

The head rest assembly of the present invention can include a base whichcan be capable of pivoting about a first leading edge which is adaptedto be in sliding contact with the elevated support surface on which thepatient-user lies. A pair of members are mounted on the base proximateto the first end and protrude upward therefrom. The upwardly protrudingmembers have a height and contour sufficient to releasably contact theskull of the patient-user.

Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art when the followingdescription of the best mode contemplated for practicing the inventionis read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cervical traction device of thepresent invention, configured for cyclic application;

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of the head rest assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the linkage of the tractive forcetransferring system of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cervical traction device of thepresent invention configured for static cervical traction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The cervical device 10 of the present invention provides a device andmethod whereby cervical traction force can be administered effectivelyin a variety of locations such as the home or physical therapists'office in an economical manner. The device can be used in a therapeuticprogram to apply cervical traction force in either a cyclical manner orin a non-cyclical manner. In the cyclical mode of operation, cervicaltraction force is exerted, then released, over a prescribed period oftime or a number of repetitions. In the non-cyclical mode of operation,cervical traction force is applied in an essentially constant manner fora prescribed period of time. The ability to adjust the tractive forceexerted is available in both the cyclical and non-cyclical operatingmodes.

The ability to cycle (i.e. release tension) permits the amount ofcervical traction force to be increased. This is particularlyadvantageous as therapy progresses, because the patient-user will findit necessary to employ elevated levels of tractive force to maximizetherapeutic benefit. However, if tractive force is increased, it must becycled to prevent injury which could occur if a large tractive force isexerted for prolonged periods of time. Cycling permits a patient toemploy greater tractive force with minimal risk of injury.

The cervical traction device 10 of the present invention is designed tobe used with a patient in the supine position. The supine positionpermits relaxation of the neck muscles in order to permit optimalcervical traction effectiveness.

The cervical traction device 10 of the present invention is composed ofa head rest assembly 12 to which a suitable tension transfer system 13including tension line 14 is suitably attached. The tension transfersystem 13 is capable of transferring a tractive force from a suitablemeans for exerting tractive force to the head rest assembly 12. When thecyclical mode of operation is required, the tension transfer system 13of the cervical traction device 10 of the present invention alsoincludes means for interrupting or varying the tractive force exerted onhead rest assembly 12. In the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 1, thistractive force interruption means is a tension release line 18 attachedto the tension line at a first end and terminating at a second end in ameans for engaging an appendage of a patient such as a loop or suitablehandle device 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the tractive forceinterruption means is omitted.

In the embodiment as set forth in FIGS. 1 and 4, the tension line 14 hasa first end attached to the head rest assembly 12 and a second endattached to the means for producing tractive force. As shown in FIGS. 1and 4, this is preferably weight 16 which will be discussed in greaterdetail subsequently.

The tractive force transferring system 13 can also include a suitablepulley mechanism such as pulley device 22. In the device of the presentinvention, the tension line 14 extends through pulley device 22 and ismoveable relative thereto. The pulley device 22 is adapted to be mountedto a suitable vertical surface at a location elevated relative to thehead rest assembly 12 such as the door D depicted in FIG. 1, or to awall, etc. The tension line 14 passes through the pulley device 22 in amanner such that the tension line 14 is provided with a first leg 24between pulley device 22 and head rest assembly 12. The tension line 14also includes a second leg defined by pulley device 22 and weight 16which is essentially parallel to the vertical surface to which thepulley device 22 is attached.

In the cyclical embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the tension release line18 is attached at the first end thereof to the tension line 14.Preferably, the point of attachment between the tension line 14 and thetension release line 18 is located in the first leg 24 of the tensionline 14, i.e. between the point at which the tension line 14 is attachedto the head rest assembly 12 and the point at which the tension line 14passes through pulley device 22. The tension release line 18 terminatesin a suitable handle device 20 which can be grasped by the user tomanually relieve or release the tractive force exerted by weight 16.Preferably, the patient inserts a foot in the handle device 20 tomanually release the tractive force in the manner to be describedsubsequently.

The tension line 14 may be equipped with a suitable means for adjustingthe length of the first leg 24. Such means can include any type ofadjustment device. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the means for adjustingthe length of the first leg 24 is a linear link device 28 having aplurality of serially linked circles. The linear link device 28 is,preferably, located in the first leg 24 at a position between the pointof attachment to the head rest assembly 12 and the pulley device 22. Asshown in FIG. 1, the linear link device 28 is composed of a plurality ofserially linked oval members to form a chain linkage. It is also to beunderstood that the adjustment device can be other suitable mechanismswhich would permit adjustment of the lengths of first leg 24 withoutcompromising the tractive force transferal properties of the tensionline 14. Preferably, the tension line 14 is equipped with at least oneclip member 30 for removable adjustment to the appropriate linked ovalmember of linear link device 28.

The tension line 14 may also include an optional safety shock forceprotector 34 located in the tension line 14 at any convenient locationbetween head rest assembly 12 and the weight 16. The shock forceprotector 34 may be any suitable device which will prevent a shock forcefrom being transferred to the cervical region of the patient. Suitableexamples include, but are not limited to, shock absorbers, mechanicalfuses and the like. The safety shock force protector 34 may bepositioned at any location which will accomplish the necessaryprotection of the patient from experiencing a shock force load. As shownin FIG. 1, the safety shock force protector 34 is located between thepoint of attachment of the tension line 14 to head rest assembly 12 andthe point of attachment of tension release line 18 to tension line 14.When employed in combination with an adjustment device such as thelinear link device 28, it is preferable that the safety shock forceprotector 34 be positioned between the adjustment device and the pointof attachment of tension release line 18. The safety shock forceprotector 34 can be any suitable dampening mechanism designed toeliminate or reduce any impact loading which may be transferred throughtension line 14 to the head rest assembly 12.

As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the tractive force transferring system 13of the present invention can be configured so as to have a central clipmember 100 to which a suitable loop or eyelet 102 in the tension line 14and a loop 104 in tension release line 18 may be fastened. In order toadjust the length of tension line 14 the linear linked device 28 may bepositioned so as to engage the central clip member 100 in an adjustablemanner as depicted in FIG. 3. One end of the linear linked device 28 isconnected to a first length of suitable rope or line 15 to which asuitable weight or other tension producing means 16 is attached at theopposite end. As depicted in FIG. 3, the optional safety shock forceprotector 34 is also attached to the clip member 100. The optionalsafety shock force protector 34 is attached to an eyelet 102. A secondlength of suitable rope or line 17 is, in turn, attached to the headrest assembly 12. The optional tension release line 18 is alsoconfigured to be suitably attached to clip member 100 to effectattachment of the tension release line 18 to the tension line 14.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the tractive force transferring system 13 of thecervical traction device 10 of the present invention includes pulleydevice 22. The pulley device 22 can be mounted to any suitable surfacesuch as door (D) either permanently or in a removable fashion.Preferably, the pulley device 22 includes a mounting support 36 to whichthe pulley is flexibly attached. The mounting support 36 can either bepermanently attachable to a suitable vertical device such as door (D) bymeans of appropriate set screws or the like or can be a removable devicesuch as shown in FIG. 1. Where the mounting support 36 is configured tobe removable, the mounting support 36 includes a first planar device 38adapted to be positioned in abutting parallel relationship to the end ofdoor (D) and a second planar member 40 contiguously mounted to andextending perpendicularly from first planar member 38 adapted to bepositioned in abutting relationship to the door surface opposed to thelocation of the cervical traction device 10.

In order to maintain the mounting support 36 in position on the door(D), the mounting support 36 is located above the door knob and boltmechanism. The door (D) is closed thereby providing a secure mount whichis exposed to minimal vertical or horizontal shifting. Alternately, themounting support 36 could be mounted above a suitable door hinge.

The pulley device 22 may include a single pulley or a plurality ofpulleys suitable for transferring tension to the head rest assembly 12.In the preferred embodiment, a single pulley is employed to ensure thatmaximum cervical traction force is transferred to the head rest assembly12.

The pulley device 22 is mounted at a height equal to or greater than theheight of the head rest assembly 12 above the floor F. In the preferredembodiment, the pulley device 22 is mounted such that the angle betweenthe first and the second legs 24, 26 is less than 90°. It has been foundthat at such an angle, cervical traction force is most expeditiouslytransferred to the head rest assembly 12 to be imparted to the patientin the manner to be described subsequently.

In the cervical traction device 10 of the present invention, cervicaltraction force may be imparted by any suitable means for exertingcervical traction force such as weight 16. When a weight such as weight16 is used, it is suspended from the terminal end of the second leg 26of the tension line 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the weight 16 can be asuitable container device 44 having an opening 46 to permit access tothe interior of the container device 44. The container device 44 alsoincludes suitable means for attachment to the terminal end of tensionline 14. As shown in FIG. 1, such attachment means can be a built-inhook 48. The container device 44 can also include a series of graduatedmarkings 50 located on the exterior surface calibrated to correspond toweight values when the container device 44 is filled with theappropriate amount of a selected fluid material. The fluid material canbe any pourable material such as sand and the like. Preferably, thefluid material employed in the container device 44 of the presentinvention is water. It has been found that using water as the weightmedium permits easy handling and manipulation by the patient, is readilyavailable, and can be easily disposed of as necessary. The amount ofwater or other fluid material to be added to the container device 44 isdetermined by the needs of the individual patient. The amount ofcervical traction force to be imparted will vary from patient to patientdepending upon the therapy protocol and rehabilitation needs of thepatient. Thus, the total weight can be varied accordingly. It is alsocontemplated that it may be desirable to vary the amount of cervicaltraction force during the course of an individual's physical therapytreatment. Thus, the container device 44 of the present inventionpermits great flexibility in tailoring the cervical traction force tothe needs of the patient.

The tractive force transfer system 13 employed in the cervical tractiondevice 10 of the present invention may include a tension release line 18by which the patient in cervical traction can cycle the amount ofcervical traction force being applied. As indicated previously, thetension release line 18 is attached to the tension line 14 at a pointbetween the pulley device 22 and the point of attachment to the headrest assembly 12. The tension release line 18 terminates in a suitablehandle device 20 into which the user of the cervical traction device 10can insert his or her hand or foot. Extension of the arm or leg resultsin the release of tractive force exerted on the head rest assembly 12.Bending of the arm or leg results in the transfer of tractive force tothe head rest assembly 12. The tension release line 18 can also includea suitable means for adjusting its length such as linear linked device30. In this manner, the cervical traction device 10 can be modified toadapt to patients of varying heights. In the preferred embodiment, thelinear link device 52 has a configuration similar to that of linear linkdevice 28.

The head rest assembly 12 of the present invention is shown more clearlyin FIG. 2. The head rest assembly 12 is composed of a base 54 having afirst end 56 and an opposed second end 58. Means for attachment of thefirst end of the tension line 14 are located proximate to the second end58 of the base 54 of the head rest assembly 12. As shown in FIG. 2, theattachment means is preferably an aperture 53 through which the firstend of the tension line can be inserted and attached.

The first end 56 of the base 54 of the head rest assembly 12 has aforward or leading surface edge 55 which is configured and adapted tofacilitate pivoting along the edge surface and provide ease of slidingduring the application of tractive force. The geometric profile of theleading or forward edge 55 may be configured as a curved radius as shownin FIG. 1, a partial radius, or a suitable chamfer to facilitate slidingmovement.

The base 54 of the head rest assembly 12 also includes adjustable meansfor releasably engaging the skull of the patient in the region proximateto the patient's neck. Preferably, engagement occurs in the occipitalregion located at the rear base of the skull immediately above thecervical spinal region of the neck. In the preferred embodiment, thepatient engagement means are a pair of upwardly protruding members 60,60' adjustably mounted proximate to the first end 56 of the base 54 ofthe head rest assembly 12 and protruding approximately perpendicularlytherefrom. The upwardly protruding members 60, 60' can be mounted to thehead rest assembly 12 in any manner which would facilitate the lateraladjustment of the two members relative to each other to receive thelower rear region of various patient-users' skulls. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 1, each upwardly protruding member 60, 60' has a flatedge 62 adapted to be oriented perpendicularly to the upper surface ofthe base 54 of the head rest assembly 12 and a contiguous edge 64adapted to contact the upper surface of the base 54 of the head restassembly 12 in a laterally adjustable manner. As depicted in FIG. 2, thecontiguous edge 64 is received within a suitable channel 66 whichprovides sufficient mechanical connection between the base 54 of thehead rest assembly 12 and the given upwardly protruding member 60, 60'to prevent movement of the member 60, 60' during use of the cervicaltraction device 10. To further anchor the upwardly protruding members60, 60' relative to one another, the corresponding region of the uppersurface of the base 54 of the head rest assembly 12 can have acontinuous strip of a suitable loop-and-eye type of fastener such asVELCRO mounted there to within channel 66. Channel 66 is preferablyformed by two pairs of upwardly extending brackets 71 mounted on base 54proximate to the forward or leading edge 55. Each bracket pair 71 hastwo parallel positioned members 73 with upwardly extending wall element75 positioned a spaced distance from one another to define channel 66.

The upwardly protruding members 60, 60' may be configured to include acontoured region 68 extending between the terminal edges of the flatupwardly protruding edge 62 and the contiguous edge 64. The contouredregion 68 includes an internally concave section located approximatelymedial between the two respective edges 62, 64 adapted to correspond tothe contours of the skull of the patient-user. If desired, the contouredregion 68 may have padding to increase user comfort during use. The base54 of the head rest assembly 12 and the upwardly protruding members 60,60' can be made of any suitable material. In the preferred embodiment,the base 54 of the head rest assembly 12 and the upwardly protrudingmembers may be constructed from suitable plastic or wood materials.

The head rest assembly 12 of the cervical traction device 10 of thepresent invention can also include a skull receiving region 69 locatedin the upper face of the base 54 of the head rest assembly 12.Preferably, the skull receiving region 69 can be a cushioned portionmounted on the base 54 of the head rest assembly 12 to cushion anyimpact between the skull and the surface of the base 54 of the head restassembly 12 during cyclical cervical traction treatment and to increasegeneral user comfort.

The head rest assembly 12 also may optionally include forehead restraint70 which can be employed to maintain the head of the patient-user inproper orientation during use of the cervical traction device 10 of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the forehead restraint 70 iscomposed of two members which can be releasably joined to one anotherusing a suitable fastening means such as a VELCRO fastener. The foreheadrestraint 70 is mounted to the sides of the base 54 of the head restassembly 12 at a position between the first end 56 and the second end 58which would permit fastening of the forehead restraint by thepatient-user.

In order to transfer maximum tractive force from the tension line 14through the head rest assembly 12 to the skull and spine of thepatient-user, the cervical traction device 10 of the present inventionmay also include a suitable friction reduction member interposed betweenthe lower surface of the head rest assembly 12 and the surface on whichthe cervical traction device 10 and the patient-user is lying, forexample, bed B and the bolster shown in FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 1,the friction reduction device may be a separate sheet 72 positionedbetween the lower surface of the base 54 of the head rest assembly 12.Suitable friction-reducing materials include but are not limited tochlorofluorocarbon materials such as TEFLON materials, various otherlubricous plastics, waxed paper products and the like. The frictionreduction device employed in the present invention may have any suitableconfiguration capable of providing friction reduced movement between theelevated support surface and the head rest assembly 12. As depicted inFIG. 1, the friction reduction device may be a separate sheet 72positioned between the lower surface of the base 54. The separate sheet72 may be made of one or more layers which can slide on one another,with two layers being preferred. Alternately, the friction reductiondevice can be attached to or formed integral with the lower face of thebase of the head rest assembly 12.

In order to obtain proper angular orientation between the head restassembly 12 and the spine of the patient-user, the cervical tractiondevice 10 of the present invention can also include a suitable bolster74. The bolster 74 can have any suitable configuration which will permitthe head rest assembly 12 to be maintained at an angular orientationbetween 0 and 40° from horizontal with an angle between about 0 andabout 20° being preferred. The bolster 74 can have a cylindrical formsuch as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Positioning the bolster 74 proximate toor distant from the first end of the base 54 of the head rest assembly12 will vary the angular orientation of the base of the head restassembly 12. The bolster 74 can be any suitably configured device suchas a pillow, towel, etc., which can be placed between the flat surfaceon which the patient-user lies during treatment and the lower face ofthe head rest assembly 12. Alternately, the bolster device can beintegrated into the head rest assembly 12 to form a unitary member.

It can be appreciated that the configuration of the cervical tractiondevice of the present invention permits the head rest assembly 12 to belaterally adjustable relative to an axis drawn through the neck of thepatient user. This lateral adjustability can facilitate the tractionprocedure as well as permitting and promoting greater user comfort. Ingeneral, it is anticipated that the amount of lateral adjustment will belimited. Preferably, the head rest assembly 12 of the present inventionwill be adjustable to an angle between about 0° and about 20° from theaxis drawn through the cervical neck region.

In using the cervical traction device 10 of the present invention, thepulley device 22 is mounted to a suitable vertical support such as doorD shown in FIG. 1. The tension line 14 is inserted through the pulleydevice 22 and adjusted for suitable length using linear linked device28. Similarly, the length for tension release line 18 is adjusted to theneeds of the patient-user using linear linked device 30. The upwardlyprotruding members 60, 60' of the head rest assembly 12 are adjusted toaccommodate the skull of the patient-user and a suitable amount ofweight is attached to the second end of tension line 14 to providetractive force. The amount of weight employed is generally an amountsufficient to be tolerated by the patient-user and to effectivelyprovide an extension of the vertebrae in the neck and upper back region.It is to be understood that the amount of weight employed will vary fromuser to user depending on the nature of the injury and the generalphysical condition of the individual patient-user. It is also to beunderstood that the amount of weight employed for tractive force canvary during the course of treatment for a given individual due tochanges in overall physical condition and in the healing experienced.The specific amount of weight is that which would be recommended by thephysical therapist, physician or other health care professional.

When the cervical traction device 10 of the present invention is inposition, the patient-user positions himself in the unit and beginscervical traction therapy. At the outset of each treatment session, itis desirable that there be no tractive force transferred through thetractive force transferring system 13 to the head rest assembly 12 topermit the patient-user the opportunity to obtain the proper position inthe unit. This can be accomplished in one of three ways: the weight canbe held by a third party until the patient-user indicates that he isready to commence cervical traction treatment; the patient-user canmaintain force on the tension release line 18 with a foot or otherappendage; or the weight 16 can be mounted on a block member 76 as isshown in FIG. 1. When the block member 76 is employed with the cervicaltraction device 10 of the present invention, it is connected to a line78 running to the location of the patient-user. The block 76 has aheight sufficient to permit weight 16 to be freely suspended when theblock is removed from contact with the weight. Once the patient-user isin position relative to the cervical traction device 10, tugging on theline 78 causes removal of the block 76 from contact with the weight 16to initiate tractive force. A more preferred approach for entering thedevice of the present invention is to engage and apply force to line 18with the proper appendage. Once this is accomplished, the patient-userhas the option of pulling on line 18 to remove the force exerted on thehead or to reach behind and above his head to pull the head restassembly 12 into position with his hands. It is to be understood thatthis second option would minimize the need for line 78 and could behighly advantageous for certain types of injuries and conditions.

The method for administering physical therapy using the device of thepresent invention in the cycling mode will now be described. Once thepatient-user is in position in the device 10 of the present invention,the tractive force is applied to the neck region for an intervalsufficient to provide therapeutic tractive force to the affected region.The patient-user's leg or arm will be bent or flexed so that the tensionrelease line is not carrying the tractive force. While this interval ispatient-specific, it is generally understood that this interval will bean interval sufficient to provide cervical extension without injury tosurrounding tissue, i.e., less than 30 minutes. At the end of thisinterval, the patient-user extends the leg or arm to which the tensionrelease line is attached thereby transferring the tractive force fromthe head rest assembly 12 and the neck region to initiate a restinterval. The rest interval is generally a period sufficient to providerelaxation of the affected region. Without being bound to any theory, itis believed that an interval of less than one minute with an interval ofabout 10 seconds being preferred will be effective in many instances. Atthe end of the rest interval, the patient bends the leg therebytransferring tractive force back to the tension line 14, through headrest assembly 12 to the neck region. Abrupt jolts which may occur as aresult of a sudden release in the tension line 14 are reduced due to thepresence of safety shock force protector 34.

The cycle of cervical traction and rest is repeated for a periodprescribed by the patient's physician, physical therapist or otherhealth care giver. The interval can be defined by elapsed time or cyclerepetitions as desired and tolerated by the individual patient-user. Inorder to time the cycles, a suitable visual or auditory timing devicecan be employed with the cervical traction device 10 of the presentinvention to assist the patient-user in maintaining the proper intervalsof rest and cervical traction. Suitable devices could be but are notlimited to electronic timers, mechanical timers, auditory tapes withappropriate timing signals and the like.

The cyclical repetition of alternating rest and cervical tractionintervals enables the user to employ and tolerate greater tractionweight than would be possible if non-cyclical cervical traction wereemployed. The cyclic mode of operation is usually chosen by thephysician or therapist. The greater traction weight is desirable as itaccomplishes greater extension of the neck region which providesenhanced therapeutic benefits.

In various instances, cyclical cervical traction may not be necessary orwarranted. In such situations, the non-cyclical device as shown in FIG.4 can be employed. When the non-cyclical device is employed, thepatient-user is placed in position and tractive force is applied to theneck region for a continuous interval. As with the cyclical cervicaltraction device described previously, the amount of tractive force andthe total cervical traction interval are patient specific and should berecommended by a physician, physical therapist, or other qualifiedhealth care professional on a case-by-case basis based on individualneeds and requirements.

In either situation, use of either the cyclic or non-cyclic cervicaltraction device of the present invention permits the patient-user toengage in cervical traction at home or where convenient. Thus, cervicaltraction therapy can be performed more frequently.

The increased therapy frequency has the potential of reducing the totaltime the patient would require therapy and providing benefits to thepatient such as an alleviation of pain in a shorter period of time. Useof the cervical traction unit of the present invention in the homeprovides the additional advantage in that the patient can obtaincervical traction when needed during the day rather than waiting untilthe next scheduled visit to the physical therapist. Prompt alleviationof pain and discomfort can prevent further patient debilitation and canactually promote healing in some instances. Additionally, the ability toemploy cervical traction as needed can actually assist in therestoration of normal sleep patterns as cervical traction can beperformed in bed immediately prior to sleep. The unit can be removedwhile the patient is in the supine position thereby preventing theaffected region from experiencing a potentially painful compressive loadprior to sleep.

In situations where the cyclical traction unit of the present inventionis employed, and because the cervical traction device is user operated,the cycled application and release of tractive force during a therapysession is controlled by the patient. Because of this, the applicationand release of tractive force can be uniquely attuned to the physicalindications experienced during each treatment session. Such patientcontrol can provide subtle advantageous modifications of the generaltherapy regimen with each cycle in response to the physical conditionsexperienced. Such fine variations cannot be duplicated by a static unitor by an externally controlled device. Additionally, control of thetractive force cycle by the patient can have significant psychologicalbenefits due to the restoration of control to the patient of at leastone area of his health and well being after a period of disability.Finally, the cervical traction device of the present invention makes itpossible for the patient-user to perform cyclic therapy using maximumtractive force multiple times during the course of a day or week in thecomfort and privacy of his own surroundings.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructures as is permitted under the law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cervical traction device for use on ahorizontal elevated support surface, the elevated support surfaceadapted to receive a patient in a supine position comprising:a head restassembly adapted to releasably contact the skull of a patient proximateto the occipital region, the head rest assembly comprising:a) a basehaving an upper face and an opposed lower face, the upper face adaptedto receive the cranial region of the skull of the patient, the base alsohaving a first end adapted to be positioned proximate to the neck regionof the patient and an opposed second end, the base also having a leadingsurface located proximate to the first end, the leading surface capableof facilitating slidable movement of the head rest assembly on andrelative to the horizontal elevated support surface while tractive forceis administered to the patient, the opposed lower face of the baseadapted to directly contact and cyclically slide on the horizontalelevated support surface; and b) a pair of upwardly protruding membersmounted on the base and protruding upward therefrom, the pair ofupwardly protruding members positioned proximate to the first end of thebase, the upwardly protruding members having a height and contoursufficient to releasably contact the skull of the patient proximate tothe occipital region while the cranial region is proximate to the upperface of the base; means for exerting tractive force on the head restassembly; and a tractive force transferring system comprising a tensionline having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to thehead rest assembly, the second end attached to the tractive forceexerting means.
 2. The cervical traction device of claim 1 furthercomprising means for positioning the head rest assembly at an angle lessthan 50° from horizontal.
 3. The cervical traction device of claim 2wherein the head rest assembly is positioned at an angle about less thanabout 30° from horizontal.
 4. The cervical traction device of claim 2wherein the head rest assembly is adjustable to a lateral angle betweenabout 0° and about 20° from an axis extending through the cervical neckregion of the patient.
 5. The cervical traction device of claim 2wherein the head rest assembly positioning means comprises a bolsterdevice, the bolster device interposed between and in direct contact withboth the horizontal elevated support surface and the lower face of thebase of the head rest assembly.
 6. The cervical traction device of claim2 wherein the head rest assembly further comprises:means for adjustablypositioning the upwardly protruding members relative to one another; anda deformably contourable skull receiving member positioned on the upperface of the base of the head rest assembly at a location suitable forreceiving the posterior cranial region of the patient's skull.
 7. Thecervical traction device of claim 1 wherein the leading surface of thefirst end of the base defines a geometric profile configured as a curvedradius.
 8. The cervical traction device of claim 1 wherein the leadingsurface of the first end of the base defines a geometric profile whichis chamfered.
 9. The cervical traction device of claim 1 wherein theupwardly protruding member of the head rest assembly each comprise:afirst outer edge extending outward from the base of the head restassembly; a second lower edge oriented relative to the first outer edge,the second lower edge joinably contacting the base; and a third edgeextending between the first outer edge and the second lower edge, thethird edge oriented to receive and elevated support the portion of thepatient's skull proximate to the occipital region; wherein the upwaqrdlyprotruding members are positioned on the base symmetrically relative toone another.
 10. The cervical traction device of claim 1 wherein thetractive force transferring system further comprises means forcyclically varying the amount of tractive force exerted on the skull bythe tractive force exerting means.
 11. The cervical traction device ofclaim 10 wherein the tractive force transferring system furthercomprises:a pulley device through which the tension line extends and ismoveable relative thereto such that the tension line is divided into afirst leg connected to the head rest assembly and a second leg connectedto the tractive force exerting means; and a tension release line havinga first end and a second end, the first end of the tension release lineattached directly to the first leg of the tension line, the second endof the tension release line terminating in means for releasablycontacting a lower appendage of the patient.
 12. The cervical tractiondevice of claim 1 further comprising a friction reduction member havingat least one elongated lubricous planar sheet interposed between andhaving slidable contact with the lower face of the base of the head restassembly and the elevated support surface.
 13. The cervical tractiondevice of claim 12 wherein the friction reduction member is a polymericmember having dimensions sufficient to reduce friction between the lowerface of the head rest assembly and the elevated support.
 14. A cervicaltraction device for use on an elevated support surface providing cyclingtractive force to the neck and head region of a patient-usercomprising:a head rest assembly positioned on the elevated supportsurface at an angle between 0° and 40° from horizontal having means forreleasably contacting the skull of the patient-user proximate to theoccipital region of the skull; means for providing tractive force to theskull through the head rest assembly; a tractive force transferringsystem comprising:a) a tension line having a first end and a second end,the first end connected to the head rest assembly, the second endconnected to the tractive force providing means; b) means for cyclicallyvarying the amount of tractive force exerted on the skull by thetractive force providing means; c) a pulley device engageable with thetension line such that the tension line moves relative thereto, thepulley device mountable on a vertical surface external to the elevatedsupport surface at a point elevated relative to the head rest assemblysuch that the tension line is divided into a first leg proximate to thehead rest assembly and a second leg proximate to the tractive forceproviding means; and d) wherein the means for cyclically varying theamount of tractive force exerted on the skull comprises a tensionrelease line having a first end connected directly to the tension lineat a point between the Pulley device and the first end of the tensionline attached to the headrest assembly and a second end terminating inmeans for releasably contacting a lower appendage of the patient-user.15. The cervical traction device of claim 14 wherein the tractive forcetransferring means further comprises:means for adjusting the length ofthe tension line; a shock force protection device located within thetractive force transferring system; and means for adjusting the lengthof the tension release line wherein the tension release line isconnected to the first leg of the tension line.
 16. The cervicaltraction device of claim 15 wherein the head rest assembly furthercomprises:means for laterally adjusting the position of the upwardlyextending members relative to one another; and a deformable skullreceiving member positioned on the upper face of the base at a locationcapable to receive the posterior cranial region of the skull of thepatient-user.
 17. The cervical traction device of claim 14 wherein thehead rest assembly comprises:a base having an upper face and an opposedlower face, the base of the head rest assembly further having a firstend adapted to be positioned proximate to the neck region of thepatient-user, the first end having a leading surface extending from theupper face to the lower face, the leading surface directly contactablewith the elevated support surface, the base further having a second endopposed thereto, the tension line attached to the base proximate to thesecond end; a pair of members mounted on the base and extending upwardtherefrom, the pair of members positioned proximate to the first end ofthe base, the members configured to releasably contact the skull of thepatient-user proximate to the occipital region; and a means forpermitting pivotal movement of the head rest assembly, wherein the meansis pivotal between 0° and 40° on the leading surface.
 18. The cervicaltraction device of claim 17 wherein the upwardly extending members ofthe head rest assembly each comprise:a first outer edge extendingoutward from the base when the upwardly extending member is positionedon the base of the head rest assembly in an operative position relativethereto; a second lower edge oriented relative to the first outer edge,the second lower edge adapted to contact the upper surface of the base;and a third edge contiguous to the first and second edges, the thirdedge having a contour suitable for receiving and supporting thepatient-user's skull proximate to the occipital region; wherein theupwardly extending members are positioned symmetrically on the base. 19.The cervical traction device of claim 18 further comprising a bolster indirect contact with and movably positionable between the lower surfaceof the base of the head rest assembly and the elevated support.
 20. Acervical traction device for use on an elevated support surfaceproviding cycling tractive force to the neck and head region of apatient-user comprising:a head rest assembly positioned on the elevatedsupport surface at an angle between 0° and 40° from horizontal havingmeans for releasably contacting the skull of the patient-user proximateto the occipital region of the skull; means for providing tractive forceto the skull through the head rest assembly; a tractive forcetransferring system comprising:a) a tension line having a first end anda second end, the first end connected to the head rest assembly, thesecond end connected to the tractive force providing means; b) means forcyclically varying the amount of tractive force exerted on the skull bythe tractive force providing means; c) a pulley device engageable withthe tension line such that the tension line moves relative thereto, thepulley device mountable on a vertical surface external to the elevatedsupport surface at a point elevated relative to the head rest assemblysuch that the tension line is divided into a first leg proximate to thehead rest assembly and a second leg proximate to the tractive forceproviding means; and wherein the means for cyclically varying the amountof tractive force exerted on the skull comprises a tension release linehaving a first end connected directly to the tension line and a secondend terminating in means for releasably contacting a lower appendage ofthe patient-user; and a friction reduction member interposed between andhaving slidable contact with the lower face of the base of the head restassembly of the head rest assembly and the surface immediately adjacentthereto, wherein the friction reduction member has at least onelubricous planar sheet.
 21. A method for providing patient-controlledphysical therapy comprising the steps of:positioning a patienthorizontally in a physical therapy device for providing tractive forceto the neck and head region, the device comprising:a) a head restassembly adapted to releasably contact the occipital region of apatient's skull; b) a tension line having a first end and a second end,the first end connected to the head rest assembly; c) means forproducing tension in the tension line, the tension means connected tothe second leg of the tension line; and d) a tension release line havinga first and second end, the first end of the tension release lineattached directly to the tension line at a point between the pulleydevice and the first end of the tension line attached to the headrestassembly, the second end of the tension release line terminating inmeans for releasably contacting an appendage of the patient; exerting atractive force on the neck region of the patient for an intervalsufficient to provide an extension of the neck region; releasing thetractive force exerted on the neck region of the patient, the releasingstep accomplished by flexing the lower appendage of the patient to whichthe tension release line is attached, the tractive force being releasedfor an interval sufficient to provide a recuperative interval for theneck region of the patient; and repeating the tension exertion andrelease steps for a number of times sufficient to achieve therapeuticbenefits.
 22. A cervical traction device for use on an elevated supportsurface comprising:a head rest assembly adapted to releasably contactthe skull of a patient proximate to the occipital region, the head restassembly comprising:a) a base having an upper face and an opposed lowerface, the upper face adapted to receive the cranial region of the skullof the patient, the base also having a first end adapted to bepositioned proximate to the neck region of the patient and an opposedsecond end, the base further comprising a channel positioned proximateto the first end of the base, the channel having a continuous strip ofloop and eye attachment means positioned in the channel; and b) a pairof upwardly protruding members mounted on the base and protruding upwardtherefrom, the pair of upwardly protruding members positioned proximateto the first end of the base, the upwardly protruding members having aheight and contour sufficient to releasably contact the skull of thepatient proximate to the occipital region while the cranial region isproximate to the upper face of the base, the upwardly protruding membershaving a lower face receivable within the channel defined in the base,the lower face having mateable loop and eye attachment means releasablyengageable with the continuous strip positioned in the channel; meansfor exerting tractive force on the head rest assembly; and a tractiveforce transferring system comprising a tension line having a first endand a second end, the first end connected to the head rest assembly, thesecond end attached to the tractive force providing means.